Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 189: Assessment

Indeed, the Four Idols Cult should have represented the orthodox path, and most people did have this understanding of it.

However, while people worshiped the fictitious immortals and deities canonized by kings, hardly anyone worshiped or paid homage to the four idols.

They were too abstract.

Taiji gave birth to Yin and Yang, while the two polarities gave birth to the four idols, representing the evolution of the world from its inception to the understanding of the two polarities, and then to the cornerstone of the worldview of the four directions and four seasons... However, nobody worshiped Taiji or the two polarities, and similarly, nobody worshiped the four idols.

In fact, the Four Idols Cult was even slightly better off. After all, there were at least manifestations of the four mythical beasts for people to worship, and some even regarded them as deities. Meanwhile, Taiji and the two polarities were left as nothing more than concepts.

Even the Four Idols Cult itself did not regard the worship of the four idols as an original concept of the world. In their eyes, it was just four powerful gods, representing the stars of the night as rulers of the sky.

So, when Wan Dongliu said that if the Four Idols Sect had a leader, then the Night Emperor could be said to take that place... But he never said anything about Taiji or the two polarities.

In essence, it was similar to the Blood God Cult. It was still just faith derived from the worship of power, not a religious acknowledgement of an almighty or omnipotent god who created humanity. It was just that as an established sect, their doctrines would naturally be combined with the views of creation. The acting leaders of the cult might not even believe the original principles themselves, otherwise, would it not be blasphemous of them to claim the title of Vermillion Bird and the likes?

She could simply be likening herself to the incarnation of the stars, acting as a spokesperson of the god, while kneeling down to worship said god for the sake of those beneath her.

Of course, it did not mean that their faith was false. Their faith was very real, even to the point of fanaticism. Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise, and even Xia Chichi were very devout in their belief that in the previous era, there had indeed existed gods that represented the night sky. They eagerly awaited these gods’ return to lead people out of this confined world and into the boundless sky.

The question of whether they were faithful or not was very easy to see. No matter how insincere Xia Chichi may turn when it came to things involving her so-called former lover, her faith in the four idols was unquestionable. Vermillion Bird simply turned a blind eye to her actions, not being overly strict with her pupil’s personal affairs, hoping that things would improve with time.

The desire of the powerhouses of this energy-starved era to ascend to the heavens was unquestionable. They split up into different forces due to the different inheritances they received. This was the case for the Blood God Cult, the Maitreya Cult, and the Four Idols Cult. They were driven by the varying degrees of personal desire that their leaders held, leading to each forging different paths.

Although the teachings of the Four Idols Cult were not extreme or malicious, they ultimately did not take the current world seriously, nor did they care about ordinary people. They also lacked the advantages of Buddhism and Daoism, which promoted virtuous living and were conducive to governance. Instead, each member of their cult was a highly dynamic agent of destruction and chaos, which was the reason it was not really surprising that they had come to be considered a demonic cult.

Vermillion Bird found the man before her rather amusing—he actually seemed to be genuinely lamenting how they had turned something perfectly fine like the four idols into a demonic cult.

Even I am not as concerned about this as you are.

Vermillion Bird found him very interesting and deliberately asked, “Do you believe in gods?”

Zhao Changhe said, “That first depends on how we choose to define gods.”

“Hm?”

“If you’re merely talking about extremely powerful beings with abilities or strength beyond imagination, then yes, I believe they exist. The Tome of Troubled Times appears quite frequently, and the relics from the previous era prove their existence, so why wouldn’t I be able to believe that they existed? But if you’re talking about the type of gods who molded me out of clay, plucked out one of their ribs to create me, or are responsible for controlling the natural phenomena, destiny, life, death, and all of those things, then I can tell you that if someone were to speak to me about such figures, I will hear their words, but might not necessarily internalize or believe it.”

As Zhao Changhe spoke, he also slowly pondered the intentions behind the questions of this Fire Serpent of Yi. He said, “Are you trying to assess me? It would be hard for me to align myself with any cult or sect’s beliefs. I have my own set of ideas and thoughts, after all. However, I’m glad that you’ve finally thought to approach me like this.

“I never intended to oppose the Four Idols Cult, you know? It would even be reasonable to say that we share some fate between us. Back then, I survived due to your Venerable Vermillion Bird’s disregard for me. If it was not for that, would it not have been over for me once I was brought into the Four Idols Cult? Your cult made such a huge fuss about me, but when did I actually ever offend or provoke you?”

In fact, back then, he truly had not dared to enter the Four Idols Cult. One of the reasons Chichi gave him Xia Longyuan’s jade pendant was that she was afraid that it would be inconvenient to bring him with her when she joined the cult. Since he accepted Xia Longyuan’s inheritance, he naturally did not dare to join the Four Idols Cult.

Of course, as he said this now, Vermillion Bird could only acknowledge it. After all, his words were not wrong, she had indeed not cared about this young man back then. Otherwise, she would have brought him back to the Four Idols Cult from the beginning. Why would she just leave him be at the Blood God Cult?

Vermillion Bird cleared her throat slightly and said, “The venerable possesses foresight that extends into the distant future. What could a young man like you, at the fifth layer of Profound Gate, understand about matters of such magnitude?”

Zhao Changhe lazily replied, “While I can’t say for sure that she has excellent foresight, I can certainly say that she’s very pretty.”

Vermillion Bird: “?”

Zhao Changhe continued, “So, is she sending you to assess me right now? What position does she intend to give me? Isn’t it too much for you to just go and start assessing me before even letting me see any benefits? She’s still trying to maintain such a high and mighty attitude, regarding herself like some kind of treasure. Does she really think that I would be begging to join the cult? Wait, she’s afraid that I’ll end up getting together with Chichi, yet she still dares to assess me and see if I’m fit to join the cult? Could it be that she personally... Forget it, don’t mind me, I’m a rough person, and I have a loose mouth.”

Vermillion Bird hesitated for a long time before saying, “I don’t know what the venerable is thinking. I just came here to ask you a few questions, and then leave after asking them. If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to answer.”

“Then what else do you want to ask? If it’s this kind of trivial question, then I’ll answer you right away.”

Vermillion Bird stared earnestly into his eyes and asked, word by word, “What is your purpose in practicing martial arts?”

“In the short-term, to prevent others from bullying me, to be able to do what I want, and to have the ability to intervene in matters I find unacceptable.”

“What about in the long-term?”

“To grasp the truth of this era, to get a glimpse of the power of gods and Buddhas, to break through the limits of this world, and to go where I need to go.”

A sudden burst of brilliance erupted in Vermillion Bird’s eyes.

At this moment, explosions and roars came from the direction of the Taiyi Sect’s main hall. Sounds of alarm rang throughout the Taiyi Sect; it appeared that the disciples were taking up arms to prepare for incoming enemies.

Gui Chen’s aged voice spread slowly, “I wonder who is so persistent? I’ve already said that I’m prepared, yet they still insist on breaking in forcefu—oh my. It turns out to be the barbarians.”

Vermillion Bird quickly figured things out.

Regardless of how many people originally shared her thoughts, she had to admit that this approach was indeed too crude. The effectiveness of inciting conflicts between the imperial court and the Wang Clan remained uncertain. If things could have been carried out smoothly and cleanly, then it might have been acceptable to carry such actions out. But with the other side already having prepared, there was no need to force things. It was not like there were no other options.

Only the barbarians would be so crazed when it came to causing trouble, insisting on forcing their way in... Of course, the barbarians might simply not have received Gui Chen’s subtle hints

Nobody knew just how many of the soldiers of Yanmen were from the Wang Clan. Once the Wang Clan turned against the empire, the outcome of the current battle in Yanmen would be without suspense. The barbarians were the ones most eager to see the Wang Clan change sides.

Suddenly, she saw Zhao Changhe, who had been calmly chatting with her, stand up and draw his saber as he headed out.

Vermillion Bird subconsciously asked, “What are you doing? The barbarians must have sent out an expert on the Ranking of Earth. Are you seriously going to confront them?”

Zhao Changhe looked back at her strangely. “Gui Chen is also an expert on the Ranking of Earth, and he is likely to have set up defenses. Also, this place is his territory, so the enemy will definitely not have an easy time. There’s no harm in having one more person’s strength. Should we not act rather than merely stand by the side? As the Fire Serpent of Yi, your cultivation shouldn’t be low. Don’t tell me you’re going to just stand by and let the barbarians run rampant. That would make me look down on your Four Idols Cult.”

Vermillion Bird found herself speechless.

I was originally planning to kill Gui Chen, don’t tell me I’m supposed to protect him now?